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Welsh Primary Schoolchildren’s Perceptions of Electronic Cigarettes: A Mixed Methods Study
Porcellato, Lorna Ross-Houle, Kim Quigg, Zara Harris, Jane Bigland, Charlotte Bates, Rebecca Timpson, Hannah Gee, Ivan Bishop, Julie Gould, Ashley
Porcellato, Lorna
Ross-Houle, Kim
Quigg, Zara
Harris, Jane
Bigland, Charlotte
Bates, Rebecca
Timpson, Hannah
Gee, Ivan
Bishop, Julie
Gould, Ashley
Advisors
Editors
Other Contributors
EPub Date
Publication Date
2020-05-21
Submitted Date
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Abstract
There are concerns that the growing popularity of e-cigarettes promotes experimentation
among children. Given the influence of the early years on attitude and habit formation, better
understanding of how younger children perceive vaping before experimentation begins is needed,
to prevent uptake and inform tobacco control strategies. We explored Welsh primary schoolchildren’s
(aged 7–11) awareness of e-cigarettes relative to tobacco smoking, their understanding of the
perceived risks and benefits and their intentions and beliefs about vaping. Data was collected using
a mix of methods in June and July 2017 from 8 purposively selected primary schools across Wales.
Four hundred and ninety-five children (52% female) aged 7 years (n = 165), 9 years (n = 185) and
11 years (n = 145) completed a class-administered booklet encompassing a draw and write exercise and
survey. Ninety-six children participated in 24 peer discussion groups comprised of 2 boys and 2 girls
from each year group. Data were analysed independently and findings triangulated. Survey analyses
used frequencies, descriptive statistics and chi-squared tests. Content analysis was undertaken on
the draw and write data and peer discussion groups were analysed thematically. Study findings
highlight that primary schoolchildren have general awareness of e-cigarettes. Vaping was perceived
to be healthier than smoking and there was some recognition that e-cigarettes were used for smoking
cessation. Understanding of any health harms was limited. Few children intended to smoke or
vape in the future but almost half thought it was okay for grownups. Children’s perceptions were
influenced by exposure through family and friends. Findings suggest a need for e-cigarette education
in primary schools, to highlight the associated risks of e-cigarette experimentation including the
potential for tobacco initiation.
Citation
Porcellato, L., Ross-Houle, K., Quigg, Z., Harris, J., Bigland, C., Bates, R., Timpson, H., Gee, I., Bishop, J., Gould, A. & Davies, A. R. (2020). Welsh Primary Schoolchildren’s Perceptions of Electronic Cigarettes: A Mixed Methods Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17(10), 3639. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103639
Publisher
MDPI
Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Research Unit
DOI
10.3390/ijerph17103639
PubMed ID
PubMed Central ID
Type
Article
Language
Description
Series/Report no.
ISSN
EISSN
1660-4601